Hepatitis A

2015 Kentucky Conference on Viral Hepatitis

On behalf of the Kentucky Rural Health Association, the Kentucky DPH Adult Viral Hepatitis Prevention Program and the Kentucky Immunization Program, we would like to thank our underwriters, sponsors, and exhibitors for making our 2015 Hepatitis: The Silent Epidemic in Kentucky conference such a success.

How Hepatitis A Is Spread

Hepatitis A (HAV infection) is transmitted by the fecal-oral route (putting something in the mouth that has been contaminated with stool of a person infected with hepatitis A).

This transmission occurs through person-to-person contact or ingestion of contaminated food or water. On rare occasions, Hepatitis A is transmitted from transfusion of blood or blood products. Hepatitis is spread more easily in poor sanitary conditions or where good hygiene is not observed.

The Symptoms Of Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A can have an abrupt onset of symptoms that can include:

fever

fatigue

loss of appetite

nausea

abdominal discomfort

dark urine

and yellowing of the skin and eyes

People with hepatitis A virus infection may not have any signs or symptoms of the disease.

Older people are more likely to have symptoms than children.

About 70 percent of children younger than 6 who are infected have no symptoms.

In adults and older children, most infections are accompanied by symptoms and more than 70 percent of those cases include yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice).

Signs and symptoms usually last fewer than 2 months, although some people have prolonged or relapsing disease lasting as long as 6 months.

How Hepatitis A Is Diagnosed?

A blood test (IgM anti-HAV) is needed to diagnose hepatitis A. Talk to your doctor or someone from your local health department if you suspect that you have been exposed to hepatitis A or any type of viral hepatitis.

The Treatment For Hepatitis A

Close personal contacts (e.g., household, sexual) of hepatitis A patients should be given post exposure prophylaxis with IG (immune globulin) within two weeks of last exposure.

There is no specific treatment or cure for hepatitis A virus infection.

How Hepatitis A Can Be Prevented

Careful handwashing and good hygiene.

Provide proper water treatment and distribution systems and sewage disposal.

Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended for persons at increased risk for HAV infection or its consequences:

Persons with chronic liver disease or clotting factor disorders;

Men who have sex with men;

Injecting drug users;

Persons traveling to countries where HAV is endemic;

Persons who work with HAV infected primates or with HAV in research laboratory settings and;

Children living in communities that have consistently elevated rates of hepatitis A.

Close personal contacts (e.g., household, sexual) of hepatitis A patients should be given postexposure prophylaxis with IG within two weeks of last exposure.

Oysters, clams and other shellfish from contaminated areas should be heated to a temperature of 85 to 90 degrees C for 4 minutes or steamed for 90 seconds before eating.

For more information about Hepatitis A virus, contact your health care provider, local health department, or the Kentucky Department for Public Health at (502) 564-3261.